Executive Director

Safe Passage is hiring for an Executive Director. Safe Passage is located in DeKalb, IL and is DeKalb County's only domestic and sexual violence agency. Safe Passage provided an array of services to victims, their children, and any significant others impacted.

Essential Functions

Strategy & Leadership/Board of Directors

* With the Board of Directors, sets vision and maintains future focus in strategy and decision-making

* Responsible for the development, implementation, and monitoring of the strategic plan

* Responsible for overall leadership of staff in the implementation and achievement of the organization’s mission, strategy, and annual goals and objectives and in the development and implementation of short- and long-range plans and policies and other activities

* With the Board of Directors, sets secure financial course for the agency, including diversifying funding

* Provides advice and counsel to the Board to assist in setting policies and monitoring the performance of Safe Passage.

* Consistent with the vision of the organization; executes all policies/decisions of the Board

* With Chair, sets and plans Board meetings, developing agendas and necessary materials

* Maintains Board relations, keeping members informed; meets regularly with Board Members

* Ensures operation of Board committees including finance, development, and others as determined by the Board

* Creates alignment of board and staff actions around vision, mission, and strategy of Safe Passage

* Returns communications (phone, email, mail) to internal and external colleagues and service providers within 48 hours unless a more immediate response is required.

Programs & Management

* Sets direction, priorities and program design to meet Safe Passage strategic plan and objectives in all program areas

* Ensures all programs are operating within contractual and licensing guidelines, including all needed records and reporting

* Conducts ongoing monitoring of program outcomes to meet Safe Passage goals and objectives as well as funding guidelines and requirements

* Oversees the management of corrective actions if needed to ensure employee compliance with performance objectives

* Oversees professional development of staff, including planning and conducting staff training and performance reviews

* With Finance Committee and Financial Officer, responsible for the financial management of the agency

* Recommends new policies, programs, and action plans

* Oversee the use, maintenance, security and improvement of the agency’s facilities.

Fundraising and Public Relations

* With the Board of Directors, responsible for ensuring that the organization secures the resources necessary to meet Safe Passage’s mission and strategic goals and objectives

* Primary public face of Safe Passage, building and enhancing the organizations’ relationships in the community, including with service partners, civic groups, and donors

* Works with the Development Director, and provides oversight, to create a fundraising program, including the creation of an annual fundraising plan incorporating major gifts, foundation and corporate relations, events, mail appeals, and stewardship

* With the Development Director, prepares and delivers an annual report of the activities, program successes or changes, community involvement, fund raising efforts and needs, etc.

* Participates significantly in fundraising efforts, including maintaining and strengthening relationships with current and prospective Safe Passage donors

* Oversee the development of and reviewing grant applications and proposals to ensure fit and execution within Safe Passage programs; ensures all information needed for grant reporting is gathered and distributed to Development

* Ensures all reporting and follow up requirements of each funding source are submitted within the stated timelines.

* Serves on boards, committees, and panels to benefit Safe Passage and the community

* Mediates on behalf of agency as needed with funders, partners, service providers

Administration & Grants

* Responsible for the development and reviewing of grant applications and proposals to ensure fit and execution within Safe Passage programs; ensures all information needed for grant reporting is gathered and distributed to Development

* Attends, participates and as appropriate, leads management, department, and agency meetings

* Ensures that the agency is in compliance with all applicable laws and funding requirements

* Completes all timesheet, expense reports and other needed documentation accurately and on time; reviews and approves all expense reports, timesheets, check requests and other documents as needed for staff

* Completes other duties and tasks as needed

Competencies include:

* Skilled at managing, leading, and developing people to accomplish goals and objectives

* Strategic thinking, including the ability to anticipate needed agency changes and direction, as well as guide the agency in relationship to changing circumstances and goals

* Strong written and verbal communication skills, particularly public speaking ability

* External relations orientation; able to effectively communicate the transformative work of Safe Passage to key constituents in order to solicit financial and other support

* Financially literate; able to read and manage budget, P&L, cash flow; understands financing and funding streams

* Adept at fostering relationships of trust, respect, and collaboration among staff, board, service partners, and community

* Deep knowledge of nonprofit organization best-practices regarding governance, fundraising, and communications

* Experience achieving results with leadership volunteers including a Board of Directors, Board committees and other volunteers

* Ability to see the big picture along with a willingness to pitch in and do what needs to be done, including small administrative tasks

* Ability to set appropriate boundaries, including the ability to say “no” when in the best interest of the client and agency

* Demonstrates cultural sensitivity and excellent interpersonal and communication skills with individuals from a variety of ethnicities, cultures and backgrounds, including non-native speakers of English

* Passion for the mission and vision of Safe Passage

Required Education and Experience

• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience, including managing people and budgets, and at least five to ten years of recent nonprofit experience, preferably in a social services setting
• Bachelor’s degree
• Grant writing experience required
• Experience working with a Board and other volunteers to achieve agency objectives

Preferred Education and Experience

• Master’s degree preferred
• Lives within the service area of the agency is preferred

Success Indicators/Outcome Metrics:

• Achieves annual objectives as identified in the Safe Passage strategic plan.
• Shows positive growth to the fund balance at year-end.
• Ensure efficacy of programs to achieve agency objectives.
• Works with the Board of Directors to maintain full complement of board members and board member meeting attendance at 75 percent.
• Trains, mentors, and manages direct reports to ensure that:

o Staff members know and understand their job

o Staff members feel equipped to do their job

o Staff members make appropriate decisions in their jobs

o As measured by employee turnover rate.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $90,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Work Location: In person

Salary : $90,000 - $110,000